Improvement in floating- velocipedes



l LEWIS D. BUNN, OF MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY.

Letters .Pate/MNO. 94,559, dated September 7, 1869.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part f the same.

*wore- To all whom it may conce/rn:

Beit known that I, LEWIS D. BUNN, of Morristown, in the county of Morris, and State of New Jersey, Vhave Vinvented a new and improved Floating-Velocipede; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description-thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the saine, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l represents a side elevation, partly in section, of my improved floating velocipede.

Figure 2 is a plan or top view of the same.

Figure 3 is a'vertical transverse section of the same, taken on the plane of the line x x, fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention relates to that class of floating velocipedes whose main or distinguishing feature consists of two boats, arranged side by side, but sufficiently apart to allow the arrangement of a paddle-wheel between them; and

The invention consists in theimproved construction 21nd arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully set orth.

A A, in the drawing, are two air-tight Vessels or floats, preferably pointed at both ends, and connected with each other by a platform, B, which they support above water when afloat.

This platform B may have a railing, a, arranged around it, so that it will form a convenient deck for the craft.

In suitable posts that project from the platform are the bearings of a horizontal transverse shaft, C, which has cranks b at its ends, and upon which a paddlewheel, I), is lmounted, said wheel projecting through :tn-aperture ofthe platform, and between the floats A into the water, as is clearly shown in fig. 3.

. The wheel is above deck'entirely encased by a cover, E, which prevents the throwing of water upon the platform.` y l On this case or cover isl formed the drivers seat E, which may, however, if desired, be independently supported above the platform.

Other seats, G G, for the convenience of passengers, may also be provided, as shown. l

The driver on the seat straddles the wheel, er1-athen the cover of the same, and rotates the .same by the action of his feet upon the cranks b, thereby propelling the device.l

lTo the stern-end of each floatA is hung a rudder H.

The'two rudders are connected by a rod or rods, c,

, so that their motion may be simultaneous and in the same direction.

They are, by means of ropes or chains d d, connected with the steering-lever I, which is pivoted to a frame, J, that projects from the wheel-cover or from any other part ofthe apparatus.

Each of said ropes d is arranged to pass through keepers along the outer edge of the platform of one of the floats to the swan-neck at the front end thereof. and from thence to the steering-lever.

This arrangement, while equally effective inoperating' the rudder, gives a much more picturesque ap.

pearance to the craft than would be the case' if the ropes passed directly from the steering-bar to the rudder. It allows the operator to employ his right-hand in turning the lever for steering to the right, and the left in steering to the left, according to his natural incliuation, which is not possible with the arrangement last referred to.

The driver operates the steering-lever by the hands, as indicated in iig. l.

Having thus described my invention,

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The floating velocipede, consisting of the` floats A A, platform B, railing a, paddle-wheel D, the rudders H H, connected by the barc, the steering-ropes d d, steering-lever I, and the seats F. G, said parts being combined, constructed, and arranged as and for the purpose shown and described.

LEWIS D. BUNN.

Witnesses:

SILAs E. To'r'rnn, ISAAC BIRD. 

